Device for the combined presentation of two items

ABSTRACT

A device for the combined presentation of first and second items the device including a first element detachably securable to the first item and the second item. The first element adapted for flexibly squeezing the first and second items. A second element detachably securable to the first item and the second item. The second element adapted for flexibly squeezing the first and said second items. A connecting element attached to the first element and the second element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an accessory for the combinedpresentation of at least two items, in particular two items for cosmeticuse. The items may be two separate distinct products, or the two itemsmay include a product and an accessory which is adapted for applicationof the product.

This provides advantages especially in the field of make-up due to theincreasing sophistication of the make-up art, which often involves theuse of two complementary products to be applied separately.

This is the case, for example, with lipsticks, wherein a first productmay provide the color and a second so-called “finishing” productprovides, if necessary, the gloss or hold-fast properties for the firstproduct. An example of other make-up products that may require separateapplications of elements is cosmetics for the eyes and the nails, whereone of the products may be a make-up foundation and the other productbeing the so-called make-up proper.

In the case of the above-mentioned two complementary products, as wellas others, it is therefore convenient to have two packagings that mustbe able to be available either simultaneously or independently of oneanother according to the habits and needs of the consumer.

However, there is an underlying problem of trying to produce a devicethat selectively allows either for two products to be had in a combinedmanner, so as to be available at any time, or have two productsseparate, in particular, when the consumer so desires to only have onewithin their person.

In the case of the second option, an additional problem may arise. Onthe one hand, if an additional device is used to unify the two products,care must be taken so that the additional device is not lost when thetwo items are separated from one another, and/or the third element. Onthe other hand, the additional device, while it remains unified withonly one of the two products, must not interfere with the use of theproduct and should not noticeably increase its dimensions.

For example, in the area of food, devices are known that allow thecombination of two or more items in the form of packs, i.e., withbottles of water or milk. When one or more bottles are removed from thepack, the “unoccupied” portions of the loop cause an unnecessaryincrease in dimensions. Similar examples exist in the prior art;however, many of those examples suffer from the same drawback.

Additional prior art references describe structures that have afunctional use solely when in planar configuration, where a set of loopscannot be superimposed upon each other. For example, some referencesdescribe systems having a flexible strap terminating with two loopsintended to form a handle for the combined transport of two bottles. Thesecuring of one bottle relative to the other being achieved by makingthe flexible strap into a double loop similar to a FIG. 8 and insertingthe neck of each of the bottles inside one of the sections of the FIG. 8loop.

A disadvantage of such a configuration results from the fact that theassembly of the two bottles by means of such a flexible strap, by virtueof the complexity of the required manipulation, can be difficult toperform in an automated manner. Furthermore, following removal of one ofthe bottles, the strap cannot remain integral with either bottle and thestrap runs the risk of being lost.

Still, yet other prior art references describe systems having at leasttwo loops connected together by a flexible grab handle. Each loop has acircular hole allowing an item to be retained securely therein. Butthese devices pose a problem because as a result of the means ofretention arranged around the inner periphery of these holes,flexibility is reduced or even eliminated. Also, it is difficult tocompletely remove and then replace the items in their holes and may takeseveral attempts. Moreover, in order to remove an item from its hole, itis necessary to slide it along the entire length of the handle throughthe hole. This rules out being able to retain items that are notnecessarily cylindrical in such holes.

So, one of the objects of the present invention is to create a devicethat allows a full or partial solution to the problems discussed abovewith regard to conventional devices.

A particular object of the present invention is to create a device thatallows the combined presentation of at least two products. The presentinvention further contemplates that when the two items are separatedfrom one another, the device may remain integral with any one of theproducts without unduly increasing the dimensions of the product it isintegral with, as well as not interfering with the use of the product.

Another object of the present invention is to create such a device thatis simple to use and economical to create.

The device according to the present invention solves the above problemsby offering a retaining element that holds the items by latching. Theretaining element may be in the form of a squeezing device. Thesqueezing device may be formed by two arms that are able to deformelastically and have an internal periphery that is complementary to thearticles that can be retained by it. For example, these arms may bearranged in an arc or a circle and the squeezing device forms an openloop as viewed from above.

Further objects will be described in greater detail in the detaileddescription that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved byproducing a device for the combined presentation of at least two items.The device includes a first element able to be secured in a detachablefashion to a first item, a second element, connected to the first andable to be secured to a second item. In order to allow the first item toremain fixed in relation to the second, the device is configured in sucha way as to be able to occupy a position in which the first and secondelements are both fixed on either the first or second item alone. Thefirst element and the second element may be in the form of a squeezingdevice in order to be fixed to the two items.

The fixing of the second element to the second item is preferably alsoreversible, thus being detachable.

So, with the configuration according to the present invention, the twoitems can be either presented in a combined manner, by one being heldfixed in relation to the other, or separate from one another. In thelatter case, the fixing device may remain integral with one of theitems. The element serving to secure the article that has been removed,itself being able to be fastened to the remaining item, thereby allowingthe latter not to have a noticeable increase in dimensions.

Preferably, the squeezing device includes two arms that are elasticallydeformable and the attaching to the first element (or the second) on thefirst item (or the second) works by latching. Such latching can takeplace on an item having a circular cross-section or of a cross-sectionhaving any other form, in particular, square, hexagonal, pentagonal orthe like.

The first element may be connected to the second by a film hinge or by aflexible strip. The device may be obtained by molding a thermoplasticmaterial such as a polyethylene, a polypropylene, an SBS, and SEBS, amixture of two or more of these materials, or a duroplastic polymer.Other materials may also be used.

In reality, in the case of the process for creating the device in asingle molded part, in which the catching of the fixing elements on theitems takes place by latching, a number of factors have to be taken intoaccount. First, the material must be able to deform elastically withoutbreaking. Second, the material must be sufficiently rigid in order that,once the latching has taken place, there is a solid catching of thefixing elements on the items. Third, the material must be able towithstand multiple flexions of an angle of approximately 180° withoutrupturing.

As previously mentioned, the possibility exists of using two differentmaterials to form the device. One material is used to form the linkbetween the two fixing elements and chosen for its flexibility and goodproperties of resistance to flexion. The other material is used to formthe fixing elements and chosen based on its properties of rigidity andelastic deformation. In this instance, the device may be created bybi-injection or over-molding of two physically and chemically compatiblematerials.

Alternatively, the first and second elements are molded separately in amold (possibly the same one, if the first and second elements areidentical) and then connected to one another by high frequency welding.

Preferably, the first element includes a first open loop, the twoextremities of which delimit an opening via which the first element islatched on a portion of the first item. The first item may have across-section corresponding to an internal cross-section of the firstopen loop. The second element includes a second open loop also havingtwo extremities. The extremities delimit an opening via which the secondelement is latched on a portion of the second item with a cross-sectioncorresponding to an internal cross-section of the second open loop. Thefirst and second elements are linked by a linking element preferablyarranged opposite the opening of the first and second loops. The linkingelement is configured so that the device can move from an initialposition in which the first and second elements are located on a side ofa plane that is perpendicular to the mid-plane of the first and secondopen loops. Alternatively, the linking element can move to a secondposition in which the first and second elements are located on a side ofa plane that is parallel to the mid-plane of the first and second loops.

The first and second open loops preferably have a circular internalcross-section, the first and second items being of correspondingcircular cross-section over at least part of their height.

In the latter case, the portion of the circle formed by the first andsecond open loops extends over more than 180°, and preferably over anangle of between approximately 190° and 315°.

Still, according to this configuration, the parts of circularcross-section of the two items have a similar or even identicaldiameter. With identical fixing elements, any differences in diameterbetween the two items, provided these remain within a certain limit,simply involve differences in the degree of clamping of the first andsecond fixing elements on the first and second items, or, in theamplitude of play when there is no clamping. In the latter case,however, the first and second items may be provided with means, inparticular in the form of axial stops, to more or less reduce, if noteliminate, any relative axial movement between the fixing elements andthe items.

Preferably, the radius of the portion of the circle formed by at leastone of the first and second open loops is less than or equal to theradius of the portion of circular cross-section of the first item, aswell as the radius of the portion of circular cross-section of thesecond item. Under these conditions, at least one of the fixing elementsexerts a clamping force on the article to which it is secured.

By way of indication, the radius of the portion of the circle formed byat least one of the first and second loops may be approximately 1 to 10%less than the radius of the portion of circular cross-section of thefirst item and the second item.

The first and second elements are preferably identical, thereby makingthe orientation of either the first or second elements with either thefirst or second items immaterial.

The first and second loops may be directly connected to one another orconnected together at two diametrically opposed points of a closed loop,in particular via a film hinge. Thus, a first open loop is intended tocatch by latching on a first item. The closed loop is attached to athird item by one of the ends of the latter and held by clamping on thethird item. A second open loop is intended to catch by latching a seconditem. As a result of this, in the assembled position, the three itemsare arranged side-by-side, with the third item being arranged betweenthe first and second items. When in use, there are various possibilitiesaccording to the nature of the three items. For example, the consumercan separate the first and second items from their respective fixingelements, the latter then being folded back to 180° and fixed bylatching on the third item.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an assemblyincludes a first item and second item, in particular, in the form ofreceptacles containing a first product, in particular, a cosmeticproduct. The second item may also be an accessory for the application ofthe first item. The first and second items are held fixed in relation toeach other be a device according to the present invention.

Preferably, on at least one portion of their height, the first andsecond items are of circular cross-section. More preferably, the firstand second items more or less form a cylinder along their entire height.

In one embodiment, the first item may contain a first make-up product,in particular, for the lips or eyelashes, with the second itemcontaining a second product intended to modify the appearance of thefirst, in particular, its gloss. The second product is preferablyintended to cooperate with the first product in the application ofmake-up to the same area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention includes, apart from the above arrangements, anumber of other arrangements that will be explained below in relation tonon-limiting examples described by reference to the annexed figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an assembly according to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a view in the assembled state of the assembly shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 shows the assembly of FIG. 2, in which the items have beenremoved with the two fixing elements being fastened to a single item;and

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a variant of the fastening device used in FIGS.1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Assembly 1, which is now going to be described by reference to FIGS.1-3, includes a first cosmetic item 2 in the form of a cylindrical case3 having a longitudinal axis X and containing a solid piece of lipstick.

Assembly 1 also includes a second item 12 in the form of a cylindricalcase 13 having a longitudinal axis Y. The external diameter of thecylindrical case 13 may be more or less identical with that ofcylindrical case 3. Cylindrical case 13 may define a reservoircontaining a liquid composition intended to be applied to the lipsfollowing application of the product contained in the first cosmeticitem, in such a way as to modify the lipstick, i.e., gloss. To this end,an applicator 14 is integral with a cap that seals off the reservoir.

The assembly also includes a device 20 allowing the two items 2 and 12to be presented in a combined manner. The device 20 may be obtained bymolding polyethylene. It may include identical loop sections 21 and 22.

A portion of loop 21, as shown in FIG. 1, includes an opening 23configured in such a way that it engages by latching with thecylindrical case 3 of the lipstick case. Latching includes but is notlimited to squeezing. To this end, the distance between the edges 24 and25, delimiting the opening 23 may be approximately 5 to 10% less thanthe external diameter of the case 3. The internal diameter of theportion of loop 21 is 5% less than the external diameter of case 3, suchthat the portion of loop 21, once mounted on the case 3, clamps thelatter.

A portion of loop 22 may include an opening 26 configured in such a waythat it engages by latching with the cylindrical case 13 containing theliquid composition. To this end, the distance between the edges 27 and28, delimiting the opening 26 is less than the external diameter of thecase. The internal diameter of the portion of loop 22 may be 5% lessthan the external diameter of the case 13, such that the portion of loop22, once mounted on the case 13, clamps the latter.

Between the two portions of loop 21 and 22, opposite the openings 23 and26, a link element 29 in the form of a short (of the order of a few mm)cylindrical strip is arranged. The strip 29 must be sufficiently shortin order that when the device 20 is in the position as shown in FIG. 2,that is to say with the two sections of loop 21 and 22 located next toeach other, it provides a relatively rigid link between the two portionsof the loops. The strip must also be sufficiently long in order to beable to be placed in the configuration of FIG. 3 in which the twoportions of loop 21 and 22 are arranged on top of each other, and fixedto the same item.

As seen in FIG. 2, assembly 1 is shown in assembled form. In thisposition, loop 21 is latched to case 3 and loop 22 is latched to case13. Thus, case 3 and 13 are being held more or less fixed in relation toone another.

When the two items 2 and 12 have to be separated, one of the items, asfor example item 12, is removed from the fixing device 20. Loop 22 isthen folded back by 180° in such a way as to engage by latching on item2, by positioning itself below the portion of loop 21. The link strip 21permits this maneuverability by the device 20. As can be seen in FIG. 3,in this configuration, the dimensions of the case 2 have not noticeablyincreased.

In additional embodiments of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 4Aand 4B, the link strip 29 may be replaced by a film hinge 30. The deviceaccording to this embodiment is otherwise identical in all respects tothat of the previous embodiment.

In the above detailed description, reference is made to preferredembodiments of the invention. It is clear that variations can be made tothese without deviating from the spirit of the present invention asclaimed.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A device for the combined presentation of first and second items, thedevice comprising: a first element detachably securable to said firstitem and said second item, said first element adapted for flexiblysqueezing said first and said second items; a second element detachablysecurable to said first item and said second item, said second elementadapted for flexibly squeezing said first and said second items; and aconnecting element attached to said first element and said secondelement; whereby after said first element is detachably secured to saidfirst item or said second item and said second element is detachablysecured to the other of said first item or said second item, said firstitem remains in a fixed relation to said second item, said first andsecond elements adapted for being connected to said first item and saidsecond item simultaneously or to either said first item or said seconditem.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first elementincludes a first open end having a first length and said second elementincludes a second open end having a second length, said first and saidsecond open ends being flexible, wherein said first and said secondlengths increase to receive said first item and/or said second item anddecrease to detachably secure said first item and/or said second item.3. The device according to claim 2, wherein each of said first andsecond open ends includes a pair of deformable arms.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein said pair of deformable arms form aportion of a circle, said pair of deformable arms extending equal to ormore than 180° from one another as measured from said connecting elementopposite said open ends.
 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein saidpair of deformable arms form a portion of a circle, said pair ofdeformable arms extending between 190°-310° from one another as measuredfrom said connecting element opposite said open ends.
 6. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said connecting element is a film hinge.7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting element is aflexible strip.
 8. The device according to claim 1, comprising at leastone moldable thermoplastic material.
 9. The device according to claim 1,wherein said device is configured such that said device can move from aninitial position in which said first and second elements are locatedside-by-side to a second position in which said first and secondelements are located above one another.
 10. The device according toclaim 1, wherein said first and second elements have an internalcircular cross-section.
 11. The device according to claim 1, whereinsaid first and second elements are identical.
 12. A device for thecombined presentation of multiple items, said device comprising: a firstitem having a cross-section; a second item having a cross-section; afirst element detachably securable to said first item and said seconditem; a second element detachably securable to said first item and saidsecond item; and a connecting element attached to said first element andsaid second element; whereby after said first element is detachablysecured to said first item or said second item and said second elementis detachably secured to the other of said first or said second item,said first item remains in a fixed relation to said second item, saidfirst and second items being connected to each other in a manner suchthat said first and second elements can be simultaneously attached toboth said first and said second items or both of said first and saidsecond elements can be simultaneously attached to either said first itemor said second item.
 13. A device according to claim 12 wherein saidfirst element includes a first open end and said second element includesa second open end, said first and said second open ends being flexible,wherein said first and said second open ends increase in length toreceive said first item and/or said second item and decrease in lengthto detachably secure said first item or said second item.
 14. A deviceaccording to claim 12 wherein each of said first and second open endsincludes a pair of deformable arms for flexibly squeezing said firstitem or said second item.
 15. A device according to claim 14 whereinsaid pair of deformable arms form a portion of a circle, said pair ofdeformable arms extending equal to or more than 180° from one another asmeasured from said connecting element opposite said open ends.
 16. Adevice according to claim 15 wherein said pair of deformable arms form aportion of a circle, said pair of deformable arms extending between190°-310° from one another as measured from said connecting elementopposite said open ends.
 17. A device according to claim 12 wherein saidconnecting element is a film hinge.
 18. A device according to claim 12wherein said connecting element is a flexible strip.
 19. A deviceaccording to claim 12 comprising at least one moldable thermoplasticmaterial.
 20. A device according to claim 12 wherein said device isconfigured such that said device can move from an initial position inwhich said first and second elements are located side-by-side to asecond position in which said first and second elements are locatedabove one another.
 21. A device according to claim 12 wherein said firstand second elements have internal cross-sections, said internalcross-sections of said first and second elements corresponding to saidcross-sections of said first and second items.
 22. A device according toclaim 21 wherein said cross-sections of said first and second items andsaid internal cross-sections of said first and second elements arecircular, and said cross-section of said first and second items has aradius.
 23. A device according to claim 22 wherein at least one of saidinternal cross-sections of said first and second elements has a radiusthat is less than or equal to said radius of either said cross-sectionof said first item or said second item.
 24. A device according to claim22 wherein at least one of said internal cross-sections of said first orsaid second elements has a radius that is between 1 and 10 percent lessthan said radius of said cross-sections of said first item or saidsecond item.
 25. A device according to claim 12 wherein said first andsecond elements are identical.
 26. An assembly for attaching twodiscrete bodies, comprising: a first item in the form of a receptacle,said first item containing a first product; a second item in the form ofa receptacle, said second item containing a second product or anaccessory for the application of said first product; a device having afirst element and a second element, said first and second items beingheld in fixed relation to one another by said device, wherein said firstand second elements can attach to either said first item, said seconditem or both.
 27. An assembly according to claim 26 wherein said firstand said second items each have a cross-section which is at least partlycircular.
 28. An assembly according to claim 27 wherein said firstproduct is make-up for the lips or eyelashes and said second product isa product that modifies the appearance of said first product.